Ask the Master Gardeners: Protect your evergreens in winter

Dec. 28, 2012

After heavy ice and snow, it may be best to do nothing -- just wait for temperatures to climb above freezing. If you try to shake the snow or ice from the tree or use a broom or stick to knock off the snow or ice, you risk doing more harm than good because frozen branches are brittle and break easily. / File photo TJN

On cold, sunny days, or days when the humidity is low and the wind is strong, broad-leafed evergreens such as this magnolia may lose too much moisture. If this moisture cannot be replaced, the foliage will show signs of winter burn in the spring. / AP

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Q: How can I protect my evergreens this winter?

A: Evergreens such as yews, magnolias and rhododendrons may be susceptible to winter damage. Leaves and needles will appear browned and burned.

Evergreens move moisture through their needles or leaves year-round. During icy winter months, they are still able to absorb moisture; however, the process is very slow. On cold, sunny days, or days when the humidity is low and the wind is strong, evergreens may lose too much moisture. If this moisture cannot be replaced, the foliage will show signs of winter burn in the spring.

There are several ways to protect evergreens during the winter months. One method involves a simple structure of wooden stakes and burlap around the plant to shield it from the wind and sun. Alternately, you could use an antidessicant, such as Wilt-Pruf, in the fall to seal the needles so that moisture cannot be taken out of the plant as quickly on cold, windy days.

Another common landscape problem in winter is limb injury to trees caused by heavy ice and snow. When this happens, the best thing to do is to do nothing, i.e., just wait for temperatures to climb above freezing.

If you try to shake the snow or ice from the tree or use a broom or stick to knock off the snow or ice, you risk doing more harm than good because frozen branches are brittle and break easily.

Also, a moderate amount of snow is desirable as insulation from low temperatures.

To protect smaller plants from ice and snow, you could create a shelter such as a bucket or wooden triangle shield. Large plants can be vertically pruned to reduce the amount of snow and ice they catch. Remove weak limbs likely to break to reduce stress on the entire tree.

Winter evergreens are not terribly fragile — remember that native plants evolved under wintry conditions and can handle a regular snow load.